Airline News

Consumers aren't going to like this product, but Basic Economy fares are a sign of the times. Travelers are already buying tickets on Spirit and Frontier that come without free large carry-ons, so why shouldn't American and United offer a similar option?

Just as Norwegian Air has on trans-Atlantic routes, Air Asia X might disrupt established trans-Pacific players and push down fares. But making money on long-haul flights is tricky, and Air Asia X might decide it has better options closer to home.

United Airlines finally launched the in-cabin portion of its Polaris experience, bringing lie-flat, aisle-access seats to all of its new widebody aircraft.

U.S. airlines made executive changes and product upgrades last year to improve performance. But this data will only encourage the Big Three legacy carriers to redouble efforts with the Trump administration to curb foreign airline expansion and reopen Open Skies agreements.

These are the aviation trends we were talking about this week.

Back in the day, airline passengers used to love complaining about bad domestic airline food. But Delta customers should be happy about this development. They'll be getting fresh, relatively healthy food on long flights.

American Airlines has a deep bench, so it will be fine. But this is a big get for United, which needed to bolster its senior management ranks. United has not had as much talent in its ranks as American.

American has been a big player in Chicago for decades, and that probably won't change. But United President Scott Kirby is one of the most fierce competitors in the airline industry. If he says he wants to win in Chicago, he means it.

Air Canada and United still dominate the majority of U.S.-Canada routes, so it's hard to see how anti-trust immunity helps consumers. But it certainly would make the airlines more formidable competitors.

Air Canada is taking a page out of the past to make a larger statement about its role in aviation in modern times.